Hammond Technical Vocational High School - Chart Yearbook (Hammond, IN)

Page 6 text:

With only an approximate 400 students enrolled at Tech in 1981-82 — one fifth of the peak enrollment of 2000 — and with a continuing knowledge that Tech’s last year was rapidly coming to an end. Tech students found it was not always easy to keep spirits up. Obstacles sometimes too large to overcome resulted mainly from the lack of an average enrollment. Some activities became unavailable to us, including a major sport — football. Yet, we did what we could to keep the colors of Brown and Gold flying high; a long tradition of Tiger spirit came to the rescue and made 1982 a memorable and wonderful year. The Poms worked hard to purchase new uniforms by holding paper drives and carwashes — a success! The Cheerleaders, despite consisting of only five members, cheered enthusiastically and had the fans cheering along in no time at all. Even though the number of basketball games we won were few, the loyal Tiger fans cheered enthusiastically to keep the spirit and morale of the team high. Basketball Homecoming was a time to display school spirit and proved to be a success for many. The Music Department also kept the morale of the student body high by inspiring them with their songs. BYE BYE BIRDIE was Tech’s last stage produc- tion. With a cast of 45, some experienced, some not, they worked eagerly toward opening night. The Seniors carried on the activities that were made traditional in the years past. The Student Council and other organizations like VICA, Home Economics, and Science provided struc- ture and leadership to get important jobs done. Despite a small staff, the Chart members met the five major deadlines and were able to publish the 1 982 Chart! Tech students were provided with adequate educa- tional needs. Some smaller classes also gave the advan- tage of the student receiving more individual help. Yet, there was an underlying feeling, a feeling of loss: we were experiencing Tech High coming to an end. Tech gave us something that nobody can ever take away— the memories . . and for this reason, we will always be, deep in our hearts, Hammond Tech Tigers . . . Kathie Nichols Dana Frye Tech Students In 1982 Produced Successful Musicals, Cheered Teams To Victory, Gained Knowledge And Skills In Shops And Classes — Gave Evidence Of a Special Kind of Spirit That Made 1982 A Memorable Year! 2

Page 8 text:

Mr. Ted Flack, the 1966 Industrial Coordinator, and Mr. R.M. Wilson, 1966 coach and health and safety instructor, talk with Mr. Hal Snyder (center), the “father” of the Tech Tiger and former track and assistant football coach, who had come for a visit. The following is reprinted from a 1966 issue of the Tech Times: COACH HAL SYNDER WAS ‘FATHER’ OF TECH TIGER by Jim Wojciehowski Did you ever wonder how Tech was given the name Tiger? Well, to find out, let’s go back to the year 1 925 when Tech was still on Russell Street. Mr. Hal Snyder, track and assistant football coach at the time, was writing sports stories for the Hammond Times. But Mr. Snyder had a problem; every time he wanted to say something about what Tech did, he had to use a pronoun such as they, them, or those boys. So, being the good coach that he was, Coach Snyder set out to find an appropriate nickname for Tech. This did not prove easy. Then one day in 1926, while looking through a sports magazine, he saw a tiger which was gold with brown stripes, and since Tech’s colors have always been Brown and Gold, Mr. Snyder thought this would be an appropriate symbol and nickname for Tech. To see what the students’ reactions would be, he asked his class and they enthusiastically gave their approval. Then he got the approval of Mr. Fred Bar- rows, the principal at the time, and of the superinten- dent of schools, Mr. Lee L. Caldwell. It was done! Tech finally had a nickname and the new Tech Tigers were proud of it! That Special Spirit A Tech Tradition For 63 Years — Has Been Called Tiger Spirit! Tech’s Story, One Might Say, Has Been The Tale Of The Tiger! Indeed, In 1982 — It Was The Tiger’s Last Tale.